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    •  July 12, 2016

    Silverstone Test Session: 5 Things to Look out for

    July 12, 2016
    Ryan Ashenhurst
    Author Signature
    Ryan Ashenhurst
    Contributor
    Ryan Ashenhurst
    Ryan Ashenhurst
    Contributor
    Author Signature

    The final in-season test session allows teams to try out new parts and upgrades, but also provides an opportunity for young drivers looking for a seat in Formula One. Here’s the lowdown of five things to look out for.

    5. Red Bull’s Halo

    Designed to offer more protection for the driver, the Halo is making another appearance. This time, on the Red Bull. It’s nice to see what a Red-Bull flip-flop looks like. There’s still no decision on whether this will be part of Formula One next year…

    4. Fat 2017 Pirelli Tyres

    Pascal Wehrlein is driving the 2014 Mercedes W05 on the 2017 Pirelli tyres. The Pirelli’s are very wide, so it will interesting to see what Wehrlein can do on them.

    3. Santino Ferrucci – Haas 

    Ferrucci is definitely one to watch for the future. The American is testing with Haas, hoping to impress. His recent drive in GP3 for DAMS highlights his race-craft. He drove through the grid from 18th to 4th. Not bad!

    Esteban Ocon – Mercedes

    Esteban Ocon is one of the favorites to break into the sport next season with a likely move to Renault on the cards. He’ll probably replace Jolyon Palmer, who hasn’t quite had the impact he was billed up to have… Ocon’s real break came in 2014 when he dominated the FIA European Formula Three Championship, winning the title with races to spare. In 2015, Ocon won the GP3 title too, his consistency the deciding factor in a campaign that saw only a single victory. He’s currently racing in DTM and holds the reserve driver role at Renault. But he’s a Mercedes academy driver, so gets to test with them.

    1. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari

    Leclerc is currently making GP3 a very entertaining series to watch. His overtaking prowess is world-class. He currently leads the Championship and is bound to get a race seat next season. Ferrari have the option to stick him in a Haas car. The American outfit were more than impressed when Leclerc drove in FP1 at Silverstone. He topped the speed trap. Not bad for a rookie!

    Leclerc’s overtaking ability was on show in the GP3 race at Silverstone too. He seems to take the risky moves and make them work. Definitely one to watch out for in the future.

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